Bedouin lieutenant colonel convicted of espionage, drug trafficking,
released after less than 10 years in prison

Lieutenant-Colonel Omar al-Hayeb, who was convicted of spying for
Hezbollah, has been released after less than 10 years in prison on
Tuesday.

Al-Hayeb, 48, was convicted of severe espionage, contact with a
foreign agent and drug trafficking and sentenced to 15 years in
prison in 2006. In 2010, it was decided to commute his sentence to 10
years. Last week, the Prison Service decided to release him six
months earlier due to his medical condition.

Lt. Col. (res.) Hassan al-Hayeb, al-Hayeb´s brother and Zarzir Mayor
and chairman of the Bedouin councils said, "If Omar had erred, the
State had a hand in it, as he was critically injured while chasing
after Hezbollah men in 1996. He still has a bullet fragment in his
head, and he lost eight soldiers in the incident."

The brother thanked the IDF officers who stood by the family as well
as the "political and military establishment" for their support.

Al-Hayeb, 48, served in the IDF´s Scouts Unit until he was badly
injured while in pursuit of Hezbollah terrorists in 1996. He lost one
eye and suffered an injury which limited his motor functions. He
returned to the army three years later and was promoted to lieutenant-
colonel.